‘‘ Our procedures are simplified and shortened, which ensures a certain speed in operations’’, Mr Joris THYS, Managing Director of Cotonou Port Authority

1/ Mr. Joris, in an interview on the Port of Antwerp website, you said, “Our ambition is to make the Port of Cotonou an innovative and reliable platform for international trade”, give us an overview of your plan to achieve your objectives.

Our approach is essentially to increase the profitability of the port of Cotonou in order to support the national and regional economy. To do this, we have defined three (03) priority areas of intervention: (1) the modernization of equipment, installations and all infrastructures, (2) repositioning on the sub-regional and international market and (3) training of local staff to prepare officers to accompany changes.

2/ At the moment, where are your reforms? What has been done concretely since you took office ?

The reforms are very advanced but you agree with me that to transform the face of a port, you have to work step by step. Many things are done but are not necessarily visible from the outside. But they are absolutely necessary to achieve before moving on to another stage. We can speak for example of: the reorganization of the administration through the digitalization of certain procedures, the stabilization of finances, the tra- ceability of procedures, and the control of expenses resulted in subsequent savings. Approximately 20,000 hours of training is being delivered in 2019 – 2020 to strengthen and be proactive.

The procedures of the major works are already started in particular the construction of a new bulk terminal (Terminal 5) with 550m of dock and 25 ha of earthworks (terre-plein), many works are in progress to improve the harbour activities: the LED lighting, the renovation of the electrical network High voltage, the installation of an optical fiber, the extension of the south breakwater of 350m, the demolition of the Traverse to widen the circle of avoidance to 500 meters of diameter. There is also the tender notice for the construction of a centralized access and the acquisition of two (02) tugs of the ASD type of 80 Tons each that will be delivered in early 2021. Not to mention the dredging of the basin to accommodate large vessels. We are now setting a course for the reception of 340m vessels, which will take place after the completion of the work to increase the turning circle to a minimum diameter of 550m and the dredging of the basin at 15m depth, planned for the period 2021- 2023.

3/ What are the biggest problems you face in executing your plan ? 

We do not encounter any specific problems except that the reforms upset some habits established for several decades. Secondly, we have to take into account the requirements of Public Procurement procedures, which take time, but are necessary to guarantee quality. Nevertheless, with the persuasion and goodwill of all the stakeholders, we are able to join everyone.

4/ What do you think are the biggest challenges for Cotonou Port Authority to establish itself in the sub-region ? 

The port of Cotonou already has a strategic natural positioning in the sub-region. It remains to be added, modernization and a modern organization that guarantees security and speed in operations which will generate a better market positioning. Of course, we must also play our role as a consultant for the national administration, because Benin’s competitiveness in the sub-region depends not only on the port, but also on the overall organisation of the corridor.

These are not always port-related complaints or freight, but since we are in close contact with customers in the hinterland countries, we can discuss these complaints directly with the responsible party. We are also looking at building logistics zones for value-added activities and their distributions in the region. With this, the port of Cotonou will undoubtedly be among the leaders of the sub-region.

5/ With your reforms, what are the advantages of the Port of Cotonou visà-vis the others in the sub-region ? 

Our procedures are simplified and shortened, which ensures a certain speed in operations. Our platform is safe, secure and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. Our tools are constantly being modernized. From a commercial point of view, we now have a customer approach that favours proximity, justified by the permanent presence of our representatives in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. The customer is now perceived as a business provider. To this, it is necessary to add that we are the natural transit corridor to the hinterland countries and neighboring Nigeria with a secure corridor free from the hassle of controls.

In this respect the port of Cotonou is recognized as the best transit port of the economies of the sub-region.

6/ Currently, the Port of Cotonou is experiencing congestion in its hydrocarbon zone, tell us what has been thought to address it. 

Three years ago, the hydrocarbon zone was indeed experiencing a problem of congestion due to the fact that the drivers of tankers coming for the most part from Burkina-Faso did not have parking, Parked their trucks on the tracks and rendered traffic impassable. But this situation has since changed with the construction of a specialised car park.

7/ In terms of digitalization, do you plan to equip the facilities with new tools ? 

Digitalization is a vast project on which we are evolving. Several sectors are already impacted. The meeting of placement of the ships is today entirely digitized. Access controls are digitized with QR code badges. The processing of letters and documents is also in the process of being fully digitized. We have installed new financial software and introduce E-banking.

The development of a Port Community System (PCS) that centralizes all the data and makes them available according to the applications (truck planning, cargo status, statistics, ship planning, etc.).

8/ In your opinion, what could prevent the digitalization of African ports ? 

For successful digitalization, it is necessary to have an abundant, stable and secure connection flow, which is not necessarily the responsibility of the ports.

9/ A word for the staff of the Cotonou Port Authority and its users ? 

Today, we are working with dedicated staff who have understood the challenge of modernization. So I will continue to thank them. At the same time, I urge them to be more committed to the goals. They know that I am listening to them and the doors of my office are open to all officers. Together, we can transform the face of our port and create more opportunities for services to ships and goods and foresee new jobs in the logistics sector in an environment that guarantees safety and good health at work.

10/ Your closing remarks

I thank you for your interest in our port and invite you to accompany us for the success of our mission. Our doors will remain open to you if needed.